1; A California man whose growing mid-section was often staring recently that what looked like a “beer magic” was actually a 77-inch tumor.

The operation took six hours. https://t.co/DqyhIzANz9

According to The New York Times, Hector Hernandez, 47, from Downey, California, could not figure out why he continued to lose weight even though he rarely drink alcohol, work out and change to a vegetarian rich diet.

“I just thought I was fat,” he said.

A doctor initially said the same during a 2016 check, Hernandez said. But after receiving another opinion in 2017 he found surgical oncologist Dr. William Tseng with the University of Southern California.

Hernandez was surprised to learn that he had a “retroperitoneal liposarcoma, a cancer that begins in the fat cells on the back of the abdomen” , according to a USC press release. The tumor weighed 77 pounds.

In July 2018, Tseng removed the tumor for a six-hour operation.

“It was very pleasing to see his before and after pictures and see him back to the size he was four or five years ago,” Tseng said. “To make it safe and see him enjoying a good quality of life after that, it’s a big deal.”

Hernandez said he is almost back to his old self.

“Oh my god, I’m fine,” he told the times.

Friends and family members have launched a GoFundMe campaign for Hernandez. Read more here.